In my blog surfing this morning, I stumbled upon a post with this video about serving God. I am listening to this thinking , Yes! I agree. I seek God each morning for his guidance as to how to
serve Him each day. I want my actions to be guided by Him.
But then I hear this:
"It is hard to know when we have done enough for the Atonement to change our natures and so qualify us for eternal life. And we don't know how many days we will have to give the service necessary for that mighty change to come."
That's when the red flag went up for me. For the bible says,
"No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are." (Acts 15:11)
"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved." (Ephesians 2:4-5)
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)
"But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace." (2 Timothy 1:8-9)
The Mormons do amazing works, but it saddens me to know that many serve God merely to buy a ticket to heaven. Everyone already has their ticket bought and paid for. Christ paid for it by sacrificing Himself on the cross. All we need to do is accept it:
"That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." (Romans 10:9-10)
Serve God! Yes! But do it with the right motivation. Do it out of overwhelming love and awe for Him has already given you new life.
2 comments:
As Mormon's we are taught that faith alone isn't going to get you where you want to be, but you must serve others (as the Good Samaritian did) and do everything you can and that your faith in God and Jesus will make up the difference.
In James Chapter 2 verses 14-17 it says "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone."
We are not trying to "buy tickets" into heaven, we are merely trying to do the best that we can while on this earth to help God's children. We love God and want to do as much as we possibly can to show him this. This is what the speaker is saying. Don't just say you love God, show him, and don't put it off because there might not be another day to show him.
Trish,
Thanks for your comment. I in no way took it antagonistically. I just was letting you know what I believe and how I feel. As about the faith alone or faith with works, I guess we will have to agree to disagree on that one. :D
BTW - I enjoy your blog very much (I subscribe to it in my google reader). Thanks for being willing to stand up for what you believe in and for all the frugal tips you have imparted. :D
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